CSS & PMS Solved Essays | Merits and Demerits of Social Media in Pakistan
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Outline
1-Introduction
The impact of social media on Pakistani society is both positive and negative. While it has revolutionized the way people connect and share information, it also poses grave challenges, such as cyberbullying, propaganda, and the threat of 5th-generation warfare, requiring the promotion of media literacy and responsible consumption of information to ensure that social media remains a force for good in Pakistan.
2-Understanding social media
3-Why is social media essential for a modern democracy?
4-Social media and Pakistan under the watch
5-What are the merits of social media?
- ✓Disseminating information throughout the country
- Case in point: The case of transgender Alisha, who was shot and later expired in hospital due to the absence of specific wards for transgenders, came into the limelight through social media, and as a result, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government allocated 200 million for the welfare of the transgender community.
- ✓Entertaining the masses
- Case in point: According to the Digital Report 2022, “Pakistan has 71.7 million YouTube users, 43.55 million Facebook users and 3.4 million Twitter users.”
- ✓Opening new arenas by providing innovative business strategies
- Case in point: According to the Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Venturing, Bundu Khan, a popular restaurant chain in Pakistan, gained millions of followers on Facebook through lucky draws and giveaway prizes.”
- ✓Increasing supervision of the government and other institutions
- Case in point: According to the Social Media and Policy-making Journal, the mounting pressure from political parties and citizens through social media resulted in the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the scandals of off-shore companies that unveiled matter of Panama leaks and made the then Prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, ineligible to hold public office.
- ✓Spreading political awareness and strengthening democracy
- Case in point: According to Pakistan’s Journal of International Affairs, “50 per cent of Pakistan’s youth has a growing tendency to represent their political stance through social media.”
6- What are the demerits of social media?
- ✓Increasing the risk of misinformation
- Case in point: According to the American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Science, “Media has promoted violence in society by affecting the mental health of people.”
- ✓Increasing crime rate
- Case in point: The report of the Federal Investigation Agency says, “From 2018 to 2022, 7 types of cyber-crimes have increased in the country, including online fraud, online stalking, data theft, online harassment and child pornography.”
- ✓Increasing the risk of 5th-generation warfare
- Case in point: The European Union (EU) Disinfolab describes, “Indian networks are involved in promoting misinformation through NGOs, think tanks, and fake media outlets in Pakistan.”
- ✓De-valuing in-person communication
- Case in point: According to the research conducted by the Global Media Journal on Social Media and Youth in Pakistan, “76 per cent of respondents said that they use social networking systems to make new friends, and 70.9 per cent of respondents agreed that social media has reduced face-to-face interaction.”
7-Critical Analysis
8-Conclusion
Social media has revolutionized how people connect, breaking down geographical barriers and bringing people from all corners of the world together. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have become integral to people’s lives, influencing their behaviour and shaping our perspectives. Like many other countries, Pakistan has experienced the tremendous impact of social media, which has both positive and negative effects on its society. On the positive side, social media has played a significant role in disseminating information nationwide, overcoming the traditional limitations of geography and distance. With the help of social media, people can now access information about current events, trends, and new technological advancements in real-time. Furthermore, social media has become a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes to promote their products and services, reach a broader audience and improve their bottom lines. However, social media also has its darker side, and Pakistan is not immune to the adverse effects of these platforms. One of the most pressing concerns is cyberbullying, which can cause significant harm to individuals and communities alike. Moreover, spreading false information and propaganda has emerged as a significant threat, leading to social polarization and political instability. Additionally, the threat of 5th-generation warfare is another critical issue that needs to be addressed. Despite these challenges, Pakistan has the potential to leverage the positive aspects of social media while addressing its negative effects. Promoting social awareness and media literacy can educate people to consume and share information responsibly. With the right policies and regulations, the country can ensure that social media remains a force for good, helping Pakistanis build a brighter future for society.
Debunking the meaning of the term, social media is a remarkable innovation that has revolutionized how people communicate and interact. It provides individuals, businesses, and organizations a platform to create and share information, ideas, and multimedia content within virtual communities. This has enabled people to connect, communicate, and interact with others worldwide, transcending geographical barriers. For instance, the diverse social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, have made it easy for people to generate and share content in various formats, such as texts, images, videos, and live broadcasts. Through them, the interactive nature of social media allows for real-time engagement, creating conversations and connections across the globe. It has become a critical aspect of modern communication, influencing trends, shaping public discourse, and catalyzing social and cultural movements. Thus, the impact of social media on society is profound, as it has transformed how information is disseminated, relationships are formed, and businesses engage with their audiences.
Discussing the necessity of social media in the contemporary era, social media has become an indispensable tool for modern democracies, as it promotes citizen engagement, transparency, and the exchange of diverse perspectives. In fact, social media provides a platform for citizens to express their opinions, share information, and participate in public discourse. It contributes to a more informed electorate, which is crucial for a healthy democracy. Politicians and government officials can leverage social media to connect directly with the public, disseminate information, and address concerns, fostering transparency and accountability. Moreover, social media plays a crucial role in civic mobilization and facilitates organizing grassroots movements, enabling citizens to participate more actively in the democratic process. During elections or political events, social media serves as a powerful tool for the rapid spread of information, which is essential for ensuring that citizens are well-informed and able to make informed decisions. Thus, social media can continue to be a force for good and contribute to the growth and strengthening of democracies worldwide.
Regarding the use of social media in Pakistan, a large proportion of the population relies on social media. The number of active social media users, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube has increased dramatically in recent years. For example, according to the State of Digital in Pakistan 2023, “87.35 million internet users and 75.70 million social media users in Pakistan.” The report shows that the number of users is higher than in 2022. Moreover, the increasing number of users indicates the rising reliance of the population on social media for communication, business, and other purposes. Hence, the country is currently transcending towards the rapid use of social media in all areas of life.
Undoubtedly, social media is a double-edged sword, having both negative and positive aspects. Moving towards the positives of social media, the role of disseminating information through social media is of paramount significance. For a case in point, “the case of transgender Alisha, who was shot and later expired in hospital due to absence of specific wards for transgender, came in the limelight through social media, and as a result, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government allocated 200 million for the welfare of the transgender community.” In this case, social media is the only player in spreading the word that provided justice to the late Alisha. Hence, social media has shifted paradigms by sharing information with many masses in no time.
Most importantly, social media platforms like Television, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have been the ultimate source of entertainment for people in the country. The content on social media applications and websites attracts people of all ages. According to the Digital 2022 report, “Pakistan has 71.7 million YouTube users, 43.55 million Facebook users and 3.4 million Twitter users.” There is diversity in the content shared on social media applications, and people use it as a source of entertainment during their leisure time. Therefore, it serves the purpose of entertainment by providing a diverse range of content to a diverse audience.
Likewise, the trend of alternatives for setting up new businesses and reliance on social media marketing has increased in the country in recent years. Most companies rely on online promotions rather than traditional methods to attract customers. As per the Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Venturing,” Bundu Khan, a popular restaurant chain in Pakistan, has gained millions of followers on Facebook through lucky draws and giveaway prizes.” It indicates a drastic shift in the marketing strategies used by both small-scale and large-scale businesses. Therefore, it is a gospel truth that companies in Pakistan are increasing their reach and boosting their earning through online platforms.
In addition, the accountability and supervision of the government and other institutions have become relatively easy due to social media. Social media watchdogs keep an eye on institutions and the government sector. To illustrate, according to the Social Media and Policy-making Journal, “The mounting pressure from political parties and citizens through social media resulted in the formation of the judicial commission to investigate the scandals of off-shore companies that unveiled the matter of Panama leaks and made the then Prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, ineligible to hold public office.” It describes that traditional modes of looking into the state of affairs and keeping a check on corruption are replaced by advanced modes. Hence, social media has proved to be a space to bring the flaws and corruption of the government to the surface.
Moreover, social media has become common for people, especially youth, to share political opinions, favour freedom of speech, and strengthen democracy. According to Pakistan’s Journal of International Affairs, “In 50 per cent of Pakistan’s youth, there is a growing tendency among them to represent their political stance through social media.” Along with providing a platform for young people to share their stance on politics, social media has also provided an open space for political parties to conduct their campaigns through these platforms, creating a healthy environment for debate among parties. Therefore, social media platforms have brought a phase shift in the country’s traditional politics.
However, on the flip side, social media also plays a negative role in the country. First, misinformation is the most pertinent issue in the country due to social media. False information confuses citizens, thereby dangling their views about a particular event or happening. According to the Federal Investigation Agency, “2000 Twitter accounts are involved in hate speeches, and 2100 Twitter accounts are involved in tweeting against Pakistan’s army.” These groups were using the platform of Twitter for spreading hate in the country in a bid to tarnish the image of Pakistan’s army. Another aim of these accounts is to reduce civilians’ interest in the military. Thus, social media platforms play a negative role by spreading misinformation.
Further, excessive use of social media has led to health deterioration of the users, leaving them in a chaotic state. Social media users consume their precious time using social applications, resulting in multiple mental and physical health issues. According to the American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Science, “Media has promoted violence in society by affecting the mental health of people.” It depicts that media social media has controlled the minds so much that people behave aggressively, increasing the violence in society. Moreover, social media has drastically reduced people’s tolerance, undermining their comprehension prowess. Therefore, there is no denying that social media has given birth to serious health issues in the country.
In addition, continuously watching criminal videos and playing games have increased the crime rate in the country, increasing its cybercrime ratio. People have started indulging in criminal activities by watching criminal videos, extended discussions, and late-night talk shows. The report of the Federal Investigation Agency said that from 2018 to 2022, 7 types of cyber-crimes have increased in the country, including online fraud, online stalking, data theft, online harassment, and child pornography. The boost in the number of these crimes is attributed to the excessive misuse of social media, where people learn different crime strategies, causing a bulge in the crime rate in the country. Hence, increasing criminal acts in the country are directly linked with easy access to social media for the masses.
Moreover, the risk of 5th generation warfare has tremendously increased owing to social media, providing ground for propaganda against Pakistan. Different countries have started propaganda through social media, trying to disrupt the peace in Pakistan and tarnishing the country’s image in the comity of nations. The main targets of 5th-generation warfare in Pakistan are the nuclear program, the army as an institution, the ethnolinguistic crisis, and national issues. To illustrate, the European Union (EU) Disinfolab has described that Indian networks are involved in promoting misinformation through NGOs, think tanks, and fake media outlets in Pakistan. The sole purpose behind this is to influence the EU parliament against Pakistan, create a pro-Indian perception, and depict India as a victim. Therefore, the primary threat to the country’s sovereignty is prevailing owing to unfettered social media providing room to foreign powers and vaging troubles for the country.
Further, although social media has provided a potent tool for engaging with people, it has drastically reduced in-person communication. People prefer to talk to people who are far away rather than talking to the person sitting in the closest proximity. According to research conducted by the Global Media Journal on Social Media and Youth in Pakistan, “76 per cent of respondents said that they use social networking systems to make new friends, and 70.9 per cent of respondents agreed that social media has reduced face-to-face interaction.” It means social networking has resulted in an increasing communication gap, hampering family relations. Hence, social media is changing the old mode of communication and replacing it with a social networking system, leaving people in self-imposed isolation.
To evaluate critically, social media has brought a paradigm shift in all domains of life in the contemporary era. It has both positive and negative aspects; however, positive aspects of social media stand out. It is a source of information and has revolutionized the business sector. It has changed the traditional mode of advertisement with social media platforms as a source of attracting customers. However, the negative impacts that it has cannot be overlooked. But there is always hope at the other end of the tunnel. Specific checkpoints on social media usage can help Pakistan overcome or at least reduce the demerits of social media to a minimum level.
To sum up the matter, the advantages and disadvantages of social media are tremendous. Pakistan has benefited from social media in the form of a watchdog on government and has increased public participation among the masses. However, social media also has a loop side, where social media has negatively impacted society by improving the crime rate and spreading misinformation. However, Pakistan can get the most out of social media and reduce its demerits through specific, pragmatic measures such as checkpoints on social media platforms. Nothing is good or bad in the world; how people use it makes it good or bad, and the same goes for social media.
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